Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1887-02-24

berry of some measuring from ten to
fifteen or more feet in diameter.
These are the most eloquent eviden-
ces of the geniality OF the winter eli
mate, without troubling the reader
with thermometrical figures.
No irrigation of orchards or fields
is required in this county, as It is in
the other leading counties. The cost
of irrigation equals at least the cost
of caring for the crops, and, besides,
irrigation induces malaria and other
diseases. Further, as there are no
laws regulating the distribution Of
water the subject OF irrigation is in.
volved in entangleDents, uncertain
ties and conflict of interests. Still
further, irrigated fruit is inferior to
that which is not irrigated, and dots
not bring as good price IN the mar
ket. Again, irrigation is dependent
on season nf rainfall to far greater
extent than is natural supply of
water in the ground itself, and hence
fruit Or gram growing in districts
where irrigation is required are fer
more uncertain than it is in Santa
Clara county.
Santa Clara contains over 1,000,-
900 acres. 1t has every variety Of
climate within the bounds of a semi
tropical climate.
The east and the west lines are
bounded by ranges of low mountains,
which converge at the southern end
of the county, the northern end being
the bay of San Francisco. Between
the two mountain ranges lIe the mag
nificent valley of Santa Clara, perfect
ly level, twenty miles wide at the
northern end and tapering to a point
at the southern end, and cut by 3
streams. the Coyote and Los Gatos
creeks and the Guadalupe river. This
valley is swept by the ocean wind
that enters the Golden Gate, being
softened and tempered to gentle,
refreshing and health giving breeze
by the time 1t has passed over the
warm bay of San Francisco and en-
tered this county.
In the center of this lovely valley,
fifty miles from San Francisco, lies
San Jose, the county seat and the
principal town of the valley. In its
limited area of six square miles it con-
tains population of $4,000, but the
numerous villages, settlements and
suburbs lying just without its bound
aries and really forming part of it,
give San Jose population, directly
depending upon it, of about 10000
souls. This population is growing
very rapidly and Improvements are
going on at rapid rate. San Jose
is the recognized center of education
in California. 1t contains the State
Normal School, an elaborate system
of free public schools, the finest and
largest private colleges in the State,
Catholic, Protestant and non-secta-
rian, for both sexes. It has
very fine churches for all denomina-
tions, several newspapers and hanks,
fine stores and buildings, and is
lighted with electricity, the central
electric tower, 200 feet high, being
the largest in the world. 1t has
street-car lines in ali directions, and
Il company has been formed to con-
stfuct cahel railway ten miles long
running from the town of Santa
Clara, three miles distant on the
west, to Alum Rock, a pleasant re.
sort seven miles distant on the east
San Jose is the home of culture
and wealth, and contains many hand.
some residences. It is the favorite
home CT San Francisco millionaires.
From its towers, its beauty, its clean
ness, its wealth and its healthfulness
it is know far and wide as the Scar
den City"
There are several other towns in
the lovely valley.
There is Santa Clara, three miles
away, connected with San Jose by
street-car and steam railway lines
and by the famous drive the Alameds
(Spanish for beautiful Way },
constructed and lined with trees one
hundred and ten years ago by the
Spanish Catholic mission fathers
Santa Clara has population of $500
and Is noted for its famous Catholic
college, its beautiful homes, its flow
ers, its drives and its varied indus
tries.
Next in Importance comes Gilroy
: in the southern end of the county
on the line of the southern overland
road, with a population of $500
growing rapidly, in the heart OF tn
, famous grain and fruit region, note'
| for its cheese and other products.
Next comes Los Gatos, lying q
, the foot of the Santa Cruz mountain
and in the northern end of the ga
that opens to Santa Cruz and tn
ocean, with a population of 200
and rapidly increasing, famous TO
its orange orchards, its health-givin
climate, its miles and fruit-cannin
factories and it's magnificent fruits.
Then comes Mountain View an
Mayfeld, two lovelytowns in the north
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